Cartridge for toy guns



Nov., l2, 1929. F. HENKE GARTMDGE Foa TOY GUNS Original Filed Sept. 50. 1926 III.

f7 T TURA/EX Patented Nov. l2, 1929 FREDERICK HENKE, OF FHILADELPHIA,

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY .'MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO A. H. FOX GUN COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA,

A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA CARTRIDGE FOR TOY GUNS Application filed September 30, 1926', Serial No. 138,606. Renewed April 9, 1929.

in outer appearance, the cartridge used in a real fire arm, and which is adapted to be inserted into the breech of a toy shot gun. the same as cartridges are manipulated in loading and unloading real shot guns.

A further object of my invention is to provide a toy cartridge in which the impelling force for the projectile is the impact of. a plunger with the rear side of the projectile under the impelling force of a compression spring under tension, and to prevent the formation in the casing of air pressure to exert.

a projecting action on the ball.

A further object of my invention is to pro vide a toy cartridge consisting of relatively few parts, of simple construction, certain in action, and not liable to become inoperative after long use, and which may be manufactured at a reasonable cost.

The other objects of my invention will appear in the specification and claims below.

In the drawing forming a part of this speciication, and in which the same reference characters are employed throughout the various views to designate the saine parts,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the axis of my improved cartridge, the projectile being shown` in elevation, in the end of the shell.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary partially sectioned viewA of the rear end of the cartridge showingin plan view the cartridge head and the latches pivotally mounted therein.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view,

similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified construction. j

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 of Fig. 4.

similar to Fig. 3, of the modification shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another modification.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan View of the cartridge head shown in Fig. 7.

The cartridge forming the subject-matter of this invention consists of a metallic tube, cylinder or casing 1 of substantially uniform diameter outside and inside except that at the discharge end 2 thereof it is substantially reduced in diameter to provide a clean annular shoulder 3 and a forwardly upwardly tapering tip 4. rlhe largest diameter of the tapering bore of the tip 4 is atthe end of the casing where it is substantially the same or slightly greater than the diameter of the spherical projectile or ball 5. When a spherical projectile is inserted into the end of the tip 4 and pressed therein it will be retained in the tip quite firmly by the friction between it and the slightly tapering walls of the bore of the tip 4. It may here be stated that the ball 5 is preferably composed of a light soft wood and, since it has no sharp projection on the surface thereof, and since it is light in weight, it may be projected quite rapidly without danger of seriously injuring one who might be hit by the projectile in its flight from a gun.

In making the parts of the cartridge, the groove 6 is not formed in the cylindrical wall of the casing until the parts are being assembled, and therefore, for the present, the cartridge casing will be considered as being of uniform outside diameter and bore, except as to the tip 4.

The cartridge head 7 is, generally speaking, a hollow cylindrical member, having a circular flange 8 on one end thereof a little larger in diameter than the outside diameter of the tube or casing l. The cylindrical bore 9 of the cartridge head 7 is of uniform diameter from the forward end thereof reaching to a point near the flange 8 where a square shoulder 10 is provided, and from said shoulder 10 through the rear end and flange thereof, a smaller cylindrical hole ll, co-axial with the head 7, and bore 9 is provided.

The forward cylindrical end of the cartridge head 7 is provided with two diametriy tridge head 7, and at right angles to a plane' passing throughthe slot-s 12, and near the forward end of saidv head, is a cylindrical pin 13. The outer cylinder surface of the cartridge head 7 is provided with a circumferential groove 14 placed somewhat forwardly from the flange 8. On the pin1`3 are pivotally mounted two latches 15-15, side by side and preferably alike in size and form,said latches, however, being kreversely mounted on said pin 13. Each latch 15 has a forwardly extending arm 16 provided near the' free end thereof withal tooth ordetent 17, and the extreme free end or tip 18 of said arm is tapering terminatesin a sharp edge- Each Aatch 15 is also' provided with a somewhat shorter arm 19 lnormally curving outwardly towardthe fwall of the cartridge casing and terminates in an outwardly curvedarcuate surface 2O` normally positioned close to the w'all of the bore 9 inthe head7.. rlhe latches levare preferably 4made of flat sheet metal and the intermediate portion through which extends the pivot pin 13 is nearly as wide as the outside diameter of theA cartridge head 7. The two intermediate portions 21 of the latches 15 lying side byeside extend into and loosely fit withinthe slots 12 12, but they do not extend radially quite through the said slots12-l2, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

lWithin the head 7 and smoothly litting .the cylindrical axially depressed holes or bores 9 and 11 is a push button 22 capable of slight longitudinal movement therein, the smaller rearwardly extending Vendterniiifiating sub-v stantially flush with the outer rear surface of the liange 8. This pushbutton 22"si1nulates in appearance the percussion cap in the end of .a cartridge for real fire arms;y v'lhepush but-V ton 22 is provided with a smooth conical axially disposed recess 23, :the walls of which converge rearwardly'toward, the smallerend of said button. l The largest diameterof saidA recess 23 is at the forward end of the button, but said diameter is preferably'not quite greatvas the diameter of the bore 9 ofthe headv to provide, whendesired, -a flat' seat 24 for a light coil spring 25, lsuch a-s is shownin Fig. 4, and which may be compressed between said seat 24 and the 'rearedges 264-26 of said wide'V intermediate portions 21Jof Vthelatches '15. When a' spring 25 is used it Vmay be aA light one, its outside diameter is such asV to. t smoothly within the bore'9 ofv thehead, and its inne-r diameter should be outlofV contact l with the curved. surfaces() of the latches i5.

vlatches 15, as above described, and as shown Whenthe cartridgeis provided with-two in yFig.'1,'thespring-25inay be omittedjV talso fitted within the cylinder or Casing l is a hollow plunger or hammer 27, which is generally cylindrical in shape to slideV freely within the cylindrical bore of the tube or casing 1, but it is preferably provided on its forward'en'd with afdome-like projection 28 around which is' a narrow circular squared shoulder 29, and at the center of whichV is an axial hole through thefront wall thereofcommunicating withy the chamber 31 within the plunger 27. Alherea-r wall V3,2 is disposed at right angles to the axis of the plunger 27 and casing 1, and is also provided with an axially disposed hole 33 of a size to permit of the )tissage therethroiiffh ofthe' "ointed ends 18 and the teeth ordetents 1,7 of the latches 15. The hole 3O,.ther chamber 'A31 and th'hole 33 together afford an opening or passage v'through the projectile and through which air, may freelypass. ,Y Normally held pressed a'gainst'the forward slotted edge or end of the cartridge head 71s a hat ring or washer 34 forming a seat for the rear end of the stiff coiled -propulsion spring 35, which is at all times under a compressive tension between said cartridge head 7 `and the rear wall 32 of the plunger or hammer'27; The rearV wall 32 is preferably of even thick# ness to provide a sharp corner 33` over which the teethor detents 17 may take, t ret-ain the plunger or hammer 27to the retracted posie tion shown in Figs., 1, 4 and 7. i

ln assembling'thecartridge the plunger 'or hammer 27 is inserted into the rear end ofthe cylinder, tube or casing' 1, the'stiff'propulsion spring 35 is next inserted into the casing'l.- The kcartridge head assembly' is madeV by' first inserting into the headfrom the forward end thereof vthe push button 22then inserting' the spring 25, when a spring is to be used, then inserting thelatches 1515 with their teeth i Y, wardly projecting" arms 16 of thelatchesl and'V broughtfto,V bear on the forward end'of thehead 7 When so assembled thehead 7 is` inserted into the rear open end of the tubeor casing landheld'there against theten'sion of the propulsion spring 351 until the head 7 is rigidly secured to the' cylinder or casing l by forcing, by a pressing, or'by an appropri#V ate spinning operation,- the metal ofthe tube or casing 1 downinto the groove 14 of the head 7the1jeby forming the groove 6 onv the outside of the tube or casing 1.

lt shouldfnow be made Fplain that when,

Y after assembly, the plunger 27 is pushed rearwardly, by a shortramrod or otherf suitable tool inserted through uiteten up "of the eartridge, to the position shown in Figures 1 and 4l, the pointed ends or tips 18 will pass through the hole 33 in the Vrear wall 32 of the plunger 27 and the teeth or indents 7 will catch on the inner face of the wall 32. This action is insured by making the edges 371-37 of the wide portion 21 of the latches 15 fiush with the forward end of the cartridge head 7 when that portion of the forwardly extending arms 16 immediately in the rear the teeth or det-ents 17 bear against the inner surface of the hole 33 in the rear wall 32 of the plunger or hammer 27 with tlie"'detents 17 contacting with the inner surface of the wall 32, and by making the edges 38-38 on the oppositeside of the pivot pin 13 to just clear the rear face of the washer y34. when said forwardly extending arms 16 are in said position. l/Vhenedges 37 and 38 of the latches 15 are so constructed the tension of the propulsion spring 35 will hold the forwardly extending arms 16 yieldingly and in position so that the pointed ends or tips 18 ofthe latches 15 will enter the hole 33 when the plunger is forced rearwardly and slightly turn the latches 15 on their pivot pin 13 by reason of the engagement of the curved surface, between the detents 17 and the pointed end of the tips 18. with the wall of the hole 33 until the detente shall pass over the edge or corner 33, whereupon said propulsion spring will snap the detents 17 over the shoulder formed by said edge or corner and hold said detents there until they are released therefrom, as will be described below. When the parts are so assembled and arranged the rounded ends or curved surfaces 2O of the rearwardly extending or releasing arms 19 lie close to or in Contact with the walls of the bore 9 in the head 7 and preferably against the forward or marginal surface of the conical hole or recess 23 of the push button 22. In each latch 15 the detente 17 and the rounded end or surface 2O are ou opposite sides of the latch 15 and on diamet- 'V rically opposite sides of the pivot pin 13 so that when the push button 22 1pressed inwardly the tapering surface of the conical hole 23 forces the releasing arms 19 toward theaxis of the cartridge casing 1 and moves the latches 15 so that the detents 17 more toward the axis of the cartridge against the Jfension of the spring 35 pressing on the shoulders or edges 37-37 through the *asher ring 34, and when the latches are so turned suliciently to cause the teeth or detents 17 to cle-ar the corneror edge 33 of the hole 33 the plunger 27 will be released and will be impelled forwardly at a high speed by the stiff propulsion spring 35 until the shoulder 2) of the plunger or hammer 27 engages the shoulder 3 at the forward `or `discharge end of the cartridge, where the forward movement of the plunger will cease by reason of the engagement thereof with the shoulder 3. The forward position of the plunger 27 is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

But before the engagement of said plunger with the shoulder 3 the domelilre projection 28 of the plunger will strike against the woeden spherical projectile or ball 5 placed in the tapered end of the tip 4 and the impact will project the ball at a high speed out of the shell.

From the above it is believed that it will be plain that to load the cartridge the plunger 27 is rst forced forwardly within the shell or casing until the teeth or detents 17 catch over the corner 33 of the hole 33 in rear wall of the plunger or hammer 27, whereupon the plunger vill be retained in retracted position against the tension of the compressed propulsion spring 35. A light wooden projectile 5, preferably spherical, is then pressed into the open end of the tip 4 of the cartridge where it remains frictionally held so tightly that it is difficult to remove it except by discharging it tnerefrom by the impact of the plunger against it. The )arts are so proportioned and arranged that when the ball is so inserted into tie tip it will project into the path of the movement of the plunger or hammer 27 and be struck by the plunger just before the plunger engages the shoulder 3 of the cylinder `or casing.

The ball or projectile 5 is not propelled, i npelled, or expelled from the shell or casing 1 by air compressed between the forward end of the plunger 27 and the projectile 5, but. by the impact of the plunger against the projectile, for the passage through the plunger 27 provided by the holes 30 and 33 and chamber 31 places the air contained within the cartridge and on opposite sides of the plunger in free communication so that the air circulates within the casing or cylinder from in advance of the plunger to the rear of the plunger as the plunger is impelled forwardly by the spring and very little, if any, pressure is built up in the space between the plunger and the ball or projector.

As soon as the pressure against the button 22 is relieved the button moves rearwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 1. lhen I use two latches 15, as above described and as shown in Fig. 1, the pressure of the propulsion spring against the shoulders 37 is sufficient to turn them until the edges 37 lie in the plane of the front edge of the cylinder head 7. In so moving the short releasing arms move outwardly away from the axis of the shell and their curved outer surfaces 20, pressing against the conical surfaces of the hole or recess 23 of the push button 22 and on diametrically opposite sides of the push button, cause the push button 22 to slide rearwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1 and Ll; ithout the interposition of any spring between the push button and the forward edges of the intermediate'portions 21 of the latches 15. f y

In a modified form of my invention shown in Fig. 4 IV employ but one latch 15, which in construction is like the latches 15, shown in F ig. 1,'and it is mounted in the cartridge head? in exactly the same manneras the two latches were in the previously described arrangement, but the slots 12-12 in the head 7 is only slightly wider than the thickness of one latch 15. In this construction the pressure between the curved surface of t-he rearwardly extending armf19 Yis all on one side of the button 22 andmay tend to cause the button topbind in thebores9 and 11 and not move to its rearmost position by reason of this unbalanced pressure against the con# ical surface in the rear thereof, unless the parts are very carefully made and fitted and possibly lubricated. To insure an operation wherein the press button will be Vsurely returned to its rearmost position as soon as any pressure thereon from the rear has been released, I preferably mount the spring between the seat 24 and the edges 26-26 of the latch, as referred to above.

It is also to be noted that in assembling the shell, as above described, the only rma'-i chine work required to be done is the forming of a groove 6 in the wall Vof the cylinder or tube 1. The pin 13 is merely slipped into the holes 13 of the head but when the shell is assembled the pin cannot be separated or removed, for it is retained in position by reasonA of the substantial engagement of the ends thereof with the' inner'wall of the cylinder tube or casing The modified constructions shown in Figs.' 7 to 9 inclusive, are very similar to that shown in Fig. 1 except that the edges of the rearwardly extending arms 19 of the latches 15 are cut away between the curved surfaces 2() and the intermediate portions 21 to provideV .spaces for the lugs 3G, one on one edge only of each latch. Each lug 36 forms a seat for a light lcoiled spring 39, one end of which surrounds alug 36 and the other end of which is n an opening through a wall of the head 7. The edge of the neck or reduced portion upon which a lug 36 is provided is slightL ly further from the axis of the shell or Ahead than is the opposite edge of said reduced por'- tion, so that a spring 40 seated on a lug 36 teY engages only one latch, and that latch is ythe one' on which the lug is provided. The contact of each springV with one latch'onlyis further insured by drilling the holes 4() at a slight angleV to thc'plane inwhich the latchesVV oscllate as isclearly shownin Fig. 8. y.lhen the springs' 39 are inserted in the holes 40,

each to surround its respective lug, they mayA be readily compressed lmanually or bya suitable implement and so compressed the cartridge head may be slipped into the open end of the shell l. The springs 39A will thus be Vent of the United States is:

maintained under compression 'because their outer ends will abut against the inner wall of the shell l when the vhead is in position. These light springs 39 tend to hold the latches 15 in their normal projectileengaging posi# tion, shown in Fig. 7, and to hold the curved surfaces 2 0 pressed Vagainst the tapered recesses 23 1n theV push button 22. Then the push button 22 is pressed inwardly to releaseposition, shown in Fig. 7) and thetwo latches vwill move to the same position that they are shown in F ig. 7. In this case, therefore, wthe shoulders 37 ,which were vshown in the modifi cation illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 a's normally Y in engagement with the washers 34 are, in the present modification, wellv to the rear of ther forward edge of the cartridge head 7 and out of contact with the ring or washer 34 so th at 'the springs 39 operate to' hold the latchesrl in plunger-engaging" position, and the push button 22 in its rearmost position. In this construction, the function of the spring 35 is merely to Vimpel the plunger 27 forwardly* against the projectile 5 when the plunger is released from the latches 15, whereas in the former constructions the tension of the spring' 35 also normally maintainsthe latches 15 in the plungereengaging position* and the push button 22 in its rearmost position. The cartridge thus provided has'thle outward appearance of a real cartridge. It may be inserted andl withdrawn from the breech of the gun as a cartridge is in a real fireari'n; the cartridge is all self-contained. There is provided no access to the mechanism inside of the cylinder tube or casing 1', except'tliat the plunger may be forced back to loaded positionV by the insertion of a ram'roc through the open tip. The parts are strong, durable and cannot be readily displaced by the operationvof the mechanism. 1 A light wooden ball may be propelled at a Vrelatively high speed, but since the mass or weight of the ball is small or light, the'impact of the ball is not enough. to break a pane of glass or disfigure furniture, nor is any particular` discomfort felt if thel ball or projectile be fired directly against the hand. A VHaving thus described my invention what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Pat-V 1. A cartridge for toy guns comprising a substantially cylindrical shell having one end thereof shaped to frictionally; retain a pro= jectile, a plunger in said shell having an open# ing for the free passageV of airy therethrough and providing an annular shoulder therein,

a plunger retaining member in said shell at the end thereof remote from said projectileholding end, and having a tapering head and a detent for engagement with the edge of said shoulder in said opening to hold said plunger in its inward position within the shell, and a spring for impelling said plunger forwardly into impact with the projectile, when said plunger is released from said member.

2. A cartridge for toy shot guns comprising a shell having one end shaped to frictionally retain a projectile, a plunger in said shell provided with an opening for the passage of air therethrough and providing an annular shoulder at the rear end of said plunger, a plunger retaining member secured to that end of said shell remote from said projectile-holding end and having a tapering end and a detent for engagement with said shoulder to hold said plunger in its inward position within said shell, and a spring for forcing said plunger, when released, against said projectile, the said tapering end of said member being normally positioned to slide over said shoulder when said plunger is forced to its rearmost position in said shell.

3. A cartridge for toy shot guns comprising a cylindrical shell having one end shaped to frictionally retain a projectile, a plunger slidingly mounted in said shell and having an opening therethrough providing an annular shoulder at the rear end of said plunger, a plunger retaining member secured to said shell in the end thereof remote from said projectile-holding end and having a tapering head and a detent for engaging with said shoulder in said opening to hold said plunger in its inward position within said shell, and a spring for projecting said plunger, when released from said member, against said projectile, said opening through said plunger being to permit of the free passage of air from in front of to the rear of said plunger during the forward movement of said plunger.

fl. ln a cartridge for a toy grin the combination of a substantially cylindrical shell having a tip with a slightly tapering bore and providing an inwardly directed shoulder near the open end of said shell, a cartridge head tightly fitting into the rear end of said shell, a push button co-axially mounted in said head, a latch pivotally mounted within said shell and having an arm extending rearwardly from the pivot of said latch into substantial contact with the said button and an arm extending forwardly from said pivot and provided with a detent, a hollovT plunger mounted in said shell and having an air passage therethrough from the front to the rear thereof, and a compression spring mounted in said shell to impel said plunger forwardly against said shoulder at the discharge end having a discharge tip of tapering bore to-` frictionally retain a projectile, a head mounted in the rear end of said shell and having a circumferential groove in its outer periphery, the material of said shell being forced inte said groove to permanently retain said,-

iead in said shell and a plunger mounted in said shell to reciprocate longitudinally therein, a latch pivotally mounted in said head to engage said plunger when forced into said shell and a spring to propel said plung-A er forwardly against a projectile in the end of said shell when said plunger is released from said latch, said shell being provided with a shoulder near the discharge end thereof to retain said plunger within said shell.

6. ln a cartridge for a toy gun the combination of a substantially cylindrical shell with a discharge tip of tapering bore to frictionally retain a projectile, a cartridge head mounted in the rear end of said shell and tixedly secured thereto, a plunger mounted in said shell to reciprocate longitudinally thereof, and having a free passage for air therethrough, a latch pivotally mounted in said head toV retain said plunger within said shell, a. spring under tension tending to force the said plunger forwardly to strike a sharp blow against the projectile when said plunger is released from said latch, and a push button in said head and movable forwardly' to release said latch from said plunger.

7. In a cartridge the combination of a shell having a shoulder near the forward end thereof, a plunger arranged to slide in said shell, a cartridge head rigidly mountedr' at the rear of said shell and a compression spring normally holding said plunger against said shoulder, a latch having a forwardly extending arm to engage and retain said plunger when said plunger is forced inwardly against the tension of said spring, and having a rearwardly extending arm, a push butt-on mounted in said head and having a tapering surface in substantial contact with said rearwardly extending arm.

8. ln a cartridge the combination of a shell, a plunger reciprocable therein, a cartridge head rigidly mounted in the rear end of said shell, a compression spring normally tending to force said plunger forwardly, two latches pivotally mounted in the rear end of said shell on a common pivot and each having an arm extending forwardly and provided with a notch or detent, said detents being disposed on op iosite sides of the axis of said shell, each latch also having a rearwardly extending arm, said arms being oppositely disposed and extending outwardly from the axis of said shell, and aV push button having a conical recess in the inner face thereof, engaged 'K said plunger when said v inwardly into said head.

' arm to swing said detent out of by said rearwardly extending arms when said push button is pressed inwardly to release said detents.

: 9. In a cartridge the'combination of a cylindrical casing, a plunger mounted to recipf rocate in said casing, a latch to hold'said plunger, a spring between said plunger and latch to propel said plunger forwardly when released from said latch and to hold said latch yieldingly in a position to engage said plunger when forced. into said shell against the ten- Y sion of said spring.

lO. In a cartridge for toy guns, the combination of a cylindrical shell, a cartridge head rigidly mounted in the rear end of said shell, a pivot pin mounted in said head, a. latch mounted on said pin and having a forwardly extending arm with a detent near the end thereof and a rearwardly extending arm, the end of which is within said head, a plunger mounted to slide Within said shell, a propulsion spring'compressed between saidplunger and said head and engaging said latch to norymally hold said detent in a position to engage said plunger, and a push button mounted in said head and operative when pushed into said head to move said rearwardly extending plunger engaging position.

1l. In a cartridge for toy guns, the combination of a cylindrical shell, a cartridge head rigidly mounted in the rear end of said shell, a pivot pin mounted in said head, two

like latches mounted on said pin, 'side'by side Y but oppositely disposed, eachhaving a forwardly extending'arm with a detent near the end thereof and a rearwardly extending arm,l

a plunger'slidingly mounted in the forward end of said shell and having an opening in the rear wall thereoffa propulsion spring'compressed between said plunger and Y said head and engaging said latchesto normally hold them in a'position to enter said` opening and engage said plunger and hold 1 said plunger in retracted position, and a push f button passing through said head and longi-y tudinally slidable therein and havingja recess 1 in the inner endthereof with tapering walls to engage said inwardly extending arm and turn said latches in .oppositedirectio'ns' to move Vsaid detents out of engagement 'with push button forced l2. In a cartridge, the vcombination with a yshell anda'reciprocatory. plunger therein, of

. a latch t0 retainsaid plunger in retracted po- :to hold said push button in its rearmost posi-Y Y sition, a push button inthe head of said shell and engaging said latch, rand a spring nor- Y mally holding said latch inplunger-retaining f position and also operative through'said latch tion in saidhead.

4my hand this In witness whereof, I havehereunto set 29th day of'September, 1926.' FREDERICIC 

